The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) are coming off a hard-fought overtime 28-27 loss to SMU, another one of the ACC’s new members, but in that win, Duke showed its ability to make high-powered offenses stumble.
Duke, led by former Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz, forced SMU into six turnovers, including three in the fourth quarter. That came a week after the Blue Devils forced Florida State into three turnovers on three straight offensive plays – and turned those Seminoles miscues into 17 points in a game Duke eventually won, 23-16.
That potent defense has the Hurricanes’ attention and Miami’s players and coaches know it must be contained if they are to complete their goal of going 1-0 for the week.
“Impressive. Really impressive. I mean, they force a lot of turnovers and besides the turnover margin, [on] third down, they’re excellent,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said. “[In the] red zone, they’re excellent. Tackles for loss, I believe they’re second or third in the country. … Very disruptive. They play really hard. I think the fact that thy have had that type of production is part of it. They have really good players, but they scheme it up really well and the guys play really, really hard.”
That defense, however, will face a significant test in Miami.
The Hurricanes enter the month of November with one of the nation’s most effective defenses and with one of the nation’s top quarterbacks under center.
Through its first eight games, Miami is averaging 560.8 yards per game, which leads all FBS programs. The Hurricanes also lead the nation in yards per play (7.76) and scoring offense (46.8 points per game).
And Ward, a transfer from Washington State, has been a force all season.
The senior has completed 68 percent of his passes and thrown for 2,746 yards and 24 touchdowns, both of which rank second nationally. His receiving corps has stepped up with one receiver – fifth-year senior Xavier Restrepo – on the verge of making history.
Restrepo enters Saturday’s game third on Miami’s all-time receiving list with 2,427 yards. That stands just behind just Santana Moss (2,546 yards) and Reggie Wayne (2,510).
Helping make the Hurricanes’ offense even more productive in recent weeks is a surging rushing attack that totaled 230 yards last week against Florida State and 219 yards the previous week against Louisville.
Keeping both that passing and running game going against Duke will be a challenge, but it’s one the Hurricanes…
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